Online appointment scheduling:
Students can now schedule their initial brief assessment appointment through our online scheduling system. We are delighted to introduce this new level of convenience and flexibility for students. If preferred, students can still call us at 512-471-3515 to speak with a brief assessment counselor right away rather than scheduling an appointment for a future date. We have more information about this new service on our FAQ page. To book an appointment, students can simply click “Schedule a brief assessment” on the CMHC homepage.
Service expansion to students out of state and out of the country:
Additionally, we recently rolled out another new mental health benefit: all UT graduate and undergraduate students, no matter their location, can access services. CMHC has been providing telehealth services since mid-March 2020. Because of state licensing requirements, we were limited in who we were able to provide services for to those physically within the state of Texas. But now, with a new partnership, we can make sure that all students, even those out of the state or out of the country can access mental health services. To get connected to this service, students should call us (512-471-3515) or schedule a brief assessment online to discuss their options.
The Graduate School at UT-Austin announces additional resources for graduate students:
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) provides a variety of services, including crisis counseling, single session and short-term counseling with immediate support and well-being resources. Also, CARE (Counselors in Academic Residence) counselors are housed within each academic school and college.
In addition to these established services, several new initiatives were launched this year, including MHART – the Mental Health Assistance and Response Team and My SSP (My Student Support Program). MHART houses trained counselors who assist UTPD when responding to mental health-related calls and emergencies. My SSP provides all UT students with 24/7 counseling support through the phone and chat in addition to the ability to schedule single and short-term counseling sessions.
CMHC also provides a robust variety of counseling groups focusing on topics relevant to graduate students, including dissertation support and support specifically for graduate students.
Lastly, the Graduate School maintains the Graduate Student Mental Health Guide, which identifies services and provides contact information for campus services specific to the graduate community: https://utexas.app.box.com/s/x2id2eju1v8u7weguspwsdp6wd9zgw2t.
While being a university student can be exciting, it may also be stressful as you adapt to new ways of socializing, learning and living. We’ve all encountered mental health concerns in some way as individuals, “but we don’t have to deal with it alone.” Please know we all experience stressful and difficult times, and that you’re surrounded by a caring community of faculty, staff and students. We want you to know you’re supported — and you have resources to help you when times get tough.
- It is important to know what to do if you, a friend or a classmate are having challenges that include thoughts of causing harm to yourself or others. If this happens, please ask us for help. So, we are sharing a short video that covers the warning signs you might see when someone is in distress. It will help you learn what a mental health crisis can look like and what you can do to help yourself and others.
- If you or someone around you is in immediate danger, call 911. Through a program called MHART, a mental health professional will respond alongside a specially trained plainclothes officer.
- If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, the Counseling and Mental Health Center Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, every day, at (512) 471-2255.
- If you are concerned about someone else’s behavior or have a COVID-19-related question or concern, contact the Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line (BCCAL) at (512) 232-5050.
- If you are experiencing a personal emergency including but not limited to family, housing, academics or finances, contact Student Emergency Services at (512) 471-5017.
- This guide, How to Support a Longhorn, offers ideas on how students can support other students.
Remember, you make a difference! By referring people to resources that provide ongoing support, you are showing compassion and empathy. And that’s what Longhorns do: we take care of each other.
